Another one bites the dust, yah!
April 5, 2008
Well, another chemo cycle down. That is 8/12 if your keeping a running tally. This cycle was a tough one, I was up all night last night with nausea and tried hard not to vomit, but come 3 am chemo had won and I headed (walked very briskly!) to the bathroom. Mark was such a trooper, he popped right out of bed and followed me in, got a wet wash cloth and laid it on my neck… I don’t know how he does it, I really don’t. Just the sound of someone puking makes me want to do the same.
I feel like, in my spirit, I have been so icky lately. I have had a heavy feeling and I just want to shake it off. The last year has been such a whirlwind in my life, and I have tried so very hard to weather the storm with Christ at the stern, but honestly it has been tough. Really Tough. But then I am reminded of all the things I have to be thankful for. If you saw me on the street, you wouldn’t know that I have cancer (well, if I had hair). I don’t fit the “cancer patient” look very well. I fight for my independence (always have) and hold my own pretty well. When I had my last Onc appt, the check out lady asked what type of cancer I had. When I said Brain, she had a look of astonishment on her face… and replied “I dont have to tell you how many Brain cancer patients cant walk out of here” or something to that effect. That was a wake up call for me. I am sure that I will have many other “wake up calls” in the future, but that one really hit home for me. As much as I wanted to say “I really didn’t need to hear that”… I did need to hear it. I need to be thankful for what I have now instead of anticipating what lies ahead. That is so very hard for me to do… and I imagine I am not alone in that.
So today I am thankful for my health. All of it. That I can walk, and talk, and sing, and live. I am thankful that my hair is growing back (slowly, but surely) and that my husband finds humor in shaving it! I wouldn’t have chosen this path, but I am content with what it has brought me thus far.
When I look around me at other cancer survivors, I see people just like me. People who are beating the odds, people who have families and love life. People with children, moms and dads, siblings. We are the “Everyday Joe” who lives next door (I know, I have a neighbor named Joe who has colon cancer) just trying to live life for all it is worth.
We all have one thing in common.
We get a second chance at life
I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
-Psalm 16:8-9
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In other words: Play Nice
20 Responses to “Another one bites the dust, yah!”
I would love to hear from you!
Yay, for YOU…yay, for another one down baby!! :D Keep on walking, girl…fightin’ and being thankful…and when you’re down, it’s ok cause He’s strong enough to carry you. Thank you once again for sharing your heart. You are MY hero!!
Much love and hugs,
Kari
(LOVE the new look here!!) :)
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Fabulous! Still praying!
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You are SUCH a blessing!!!! I love the new look.
Susan
Susan - Penless Writer’s last blog post..KIDS & BLESSINGS
Hey Heather,
I made it over here finally. I can’t believe you have endured so much chemo. I’m looking forward to reading through your blog so I can read your story so if you see my IP address you won’t think I’m stalking ;)
Your faith is incredible and inspirational.
And your blog template is great!
Thanks for offering so much support to me while you are going through your own battle. I appreciate that so much. Although I wish you didn’t have to go through this as well, I find comfort…so much comfort that I’m not alone.
Lisa
Lisa’s last blog post..Kung Fu Shrimp
Congratulations on another chemo being done. This was a very encouraging post. Thank you for sharing it. :)
JoAnn
Heather, I know the feeling. I was counting 4 3/4 years ago when I did 36 straight weeks of chemo…I counted everyone. Then I was on it again for 10 months straight…and now I am back on it for 12 big rounds in the next 5 months…I have one month down!! I also had 3 big surgeries. You and I are fighters. You are in my every prayer. Your children and husband are in my every prayer also. Visit me soon. Sue
I can’t believe it’s been so long already, yet it seems like years ago.
Keep on, keeping on sweetness.
I’ll talk to you as soon as I get something in my hands.
It’s a long weekend.
kelli’s last blog post..Saturday Stirrings …
what a great post!
And through it all, Heather, you are such an encouragement and blessing to so many. I really believe that many people have had their faith strengthened just by reading your messages of hope and love. I am really thankful for it today.
Amy
Amy’s last blog post..Please pray
everyone needs a little reminder!
you are like my dad in the way that he “really doesn’t look like a cancer patient…except for the hair”, he has done so well and is almost “normal”…a new normal. just getting the most out of what he’s been given…isn’t that what we all should do ?
glad to hear you have another one behind you…and i love the new look of your blog!
cynthia’s last blog post..“then i’ll just do it by myself…”
everyone needs a little reminder!
you are like my dad in the way that he “really doesn’t look like a cancer patient…except for the hair”, he has done so well and is almost “normal”…a new normal. just getting the most out of what he’s been given…isn’t that what we all should do ?
glad to hear you have another one behind you…and i love the new look of your blog!
Psalm 65
1.Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2.O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come.
3.When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.
4.Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.
5.You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,
6.who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength,
7.who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
8.Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.
9.You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it.
10.You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.
11.You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.
12.The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.
13.The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.
The same Lord that does these things upholds you and holds your hand as you walk into the drs. The glory you give God, God reflects in you. That is why she was so surprised!
Because of Jesus, Bobbie
Heather how many rounds of this chemo do you have to do? Sue
Heather,
God Bless you. You are an inspiration. When you are weak, then He is strong.
You go girl!
amen heather! thanks for the reminder. i needed to read this tonight. you’re a blessing!
ruth’s last blog post..New Blogger On The Block: Papa Bear!
ps LOVE your funky new blogskin. everything looks sooo great! i am in “blog envy”. ;)
ruth’s last blog post..New Blogger On The Block: Papa Bear!
Amen, sister! Love the new look, too! I think I said that before. I praise God everyday for my second chance! Blessings!
Shari’s last blog post..Insurance, Insurance, Insurance!!!!
Just wanted to drop by and say that “All heaven is rejoicing is cheering you onward!” May His riches and best be yours for you are worthy. Lovingly, rilda *U*
Rilda’s last blog post..I Heard
You go girl! Congrats on another cycle down, and on walking out of there. :-)
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Heather, I’m so glad I found your site! :grin: You are truly an inspiration to me! Why? you ask? I have had 6 brain surgeries, 2 of which were for an astrocytoma. The other 4 were for screw ups by the docs after tumor removal. I’ve been benign so far, but the first was tennis ball size (removed 2 weeks exactly before sweet 16) and the second was golf ball size(removed a couple of weeks after hs graduation). I go every 2-3 years for MRIs to make sure nothing has changed, and I feel so blessed it hasn’t.
You keep up the good work and positive attitude. Through Christ, all things are possible. Humor has been a BIG help to us too.
Blessings,
Jenny
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